CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
To submit information for News Briefs, send an e-mail to airlift.dispatch-@charleston.af.mil with subject NEWS BRIEFS. Submissions must be received no later than close of business Friday the week before publication.
Spotlight
Change of command: The 437th Medical Group will host a change of command ceremony Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. in the Charleston Club. For more information, contact Capt. Carmal Terrell at 963-6731.
Retirement: The 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Tech. Sgt. David Wood Sept. 19 at noon in the Building 709 upstairs auditorium. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Eric Hale at 963-4041.
Retirement: The 1st Combat Camera Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Stephen Faulisi Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. in the 1 CTCS conference room. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Andrew Rodier at 963-3578.
Around the base
POW/MIA events: There will be a prisoner of war and missing in action 24-hour run from Sept. 23-24. There will also be a luncheon Sept. 24 from noon to 2 p.m. at the club followed by a retreat ceremony at Nose Dock 2. For more information on these events, contact Senior Master Sgt. Keith Geltz at 819-4237.
New HAWC class: There will be a class held the first Friday of every month from 8:30 to 10 a.m. or every fourth Friday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. by appointmnt at the Health and Wellness Center. Participants will be taught heart-healthy eating principles, self-care tips and a package of take-home informative materials. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the HAWC at 963-4007.
Mobile food concession unit: The Charleston AFB Army and Air Force Exchange Service recently signed a contract for a mobile food concession unit to sell various food items on base Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be food available for both breakfast and lunch. To find out location of the unit, or to have food delivered to an office or workshop, contact Larry Vitelli at 408-8658.
AF ball postponed: The 2008 Air Force Ball has been postponed until Sept. 27. Details concerning purchase of tickets or refund of tickets due to leave, deployments and temporary duty assignments are being handles through the 437th Airlift Wing Protocol Office. For more information, contact them at 963-8002.
Closure: The 29 temporary living facilities of the Inns of Charleston will undergo major renovations beginning Oct. 1, causing service members departing or leaving the base to depend on off-base hotels. Staff members of the inn will help priority one guests with off base hotel reservations and also approve non-availability to help offset the cost of off-base room charges. For more information, contact Joe Abell at 963-3819.
Retiree appreciation day: Charleston AFB and Naval Weapons Station Charleston are sponsoring a Military Retiree and Spouse Information Fair and Appreciation Day Oct. 4 starting at 9 a.m. in the Charleston Club. This event is to provide information and to show appreciation to all military retirees and spouses for their service. There will be more than 25 booths from around the base to include the 437th Medical Group, 437 AW Legal Office and the 437th Force Support Squadron. For more information, contact Charles Short at 963-2228.
Half-off Disney On Ice tickets: Save 50 percent on tickets to Disney On Ice "Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey" to be held Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Nov. 16 at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum. This military discount is available for all active duty, retired, Reserve, National Guard, Department of Defense and their family members. For more information, call the ticket office at 529-5000, or visit www.coliseumpac.com.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
Transition assistance program: This three-day workshop for military members who are transitioning from the military will be held Sept. 16-18 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meet with experts from finance, Veterans Administration and South Carolina Job Services and more, to help give tools needed for a successful transition into the civilian sector.
Heartlink spouse orientation: Learn Air Force culture, traditions, military language, benefits, services and mission while making friends during a briefing Oct. 7 from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. This class is only open to spouses of military members. Childcare issues will be discussed at time of registration.
Book and Brain workshop: Parents of children in grade 3-12 who want to help their children succeed in school can do so by attending the "Book and Brain" workshop. By attending two, two-hour sessions, parents and children can learn techniques to increase test scores for teacher-made tests, state standardized testing, college admission testing, etc. Sessions will be held at the A&FRC Oct. 2, 6-8 p.m. all parents; Oct. 3 6-8 p.m. for parents and children in grades 6-12; Oct. 4 10 a.m.-noon parents and children in grades 3-5.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Sept. 17 to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Family pre-deployment briefing: Pre-deployment briefings are held every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. for individuals preparing for a deployment within the next 30 days. The briefing provides information on all realms of deployment, and there will be tips for a successful deployment for both the member deploying and his or her family.
Reintegration seminar: There are reintegration seminars every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. and every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
Consignment shop reopens: The base consignment shop has recently reopened and the hours are from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Consignments and donations are also accepted during these times. For more information, contact Julie Brady at 963-3294.
TSP transfers to Roth IRAs: Separated TSP participants and active participants eligible for age based in-service withdrawals now have the option to transfer all or part of their TSP withdrawal payments to a Roth IRA as well as to traditional IRAs or other eligible employer plans. Keep in mind that members must meet eligibility criteria and they must pay tax on any amount that is transferred into a Roth IRA for the year of the transfer. For more information, see the "Questions and Answers" on the TSP Web site or the TSP Tax Notice "Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account," available from the TSP Web site, www.tsp.gov, or by calling the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778.
Airman's Attic in need of donations: The Airman's Attic is in need of household items, children's clothing to size eight, appliances and furniture. If anyone has items that have been gently used, consider donating them to the attic. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.
Airman's Attic needs volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help at the Airman's Attic located in the A&FRC Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to sort donations and assist customers. There is also a need for individuals who own a truck or a trailer to volunteer as delivery drivers. Volunteers are eligible to participate in the base Recognizing Achievement and Volunteer Excellence program, which provides monthly incentives based on the number of hours volunteered. For more information, call 963-4408.
Free admission to Drayton Hall: Drayton Hall is offering free admission to active-duty military members, veterans, firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service members in recognition of what they do to serve America. Free admission is available from now to Sept. 15. Participants must show their official identification cards at the front gate to receive free admission for themselves and up to four of their immediate family members. For more information, call 769-2600 or visit www.draytonhall.org.